Oil Strike: Products That Stop Oil Before It Starts

The downfalls of oily skin are not pretty: shiny nose and forehead, greasy makeup and pesky, unpredictable breakouts. Despite your daily efforts and endless struggles with hardcore astringents and blotting papers, your poor face always seems to fall prey to oil. We feel your pain. To help you stay one step ahead of the oil-fighting game, we’ve come up with a list of the best products that stop oil before it starts.

The Cleansing Crusader

The key to keeping oil at bay is starting off with a clean slate. Infused with zinc, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Soap & Oil-Free Gel Cleanser purifies the skin and removes excess oil. For good measure, wash your face twice at the end of day to make sure you banish all traces of makeup, dirt or oil. For the first wash, use your hands and for the second, try a cleansing brush (we love the Clarisonic Aria).

Marvelous Mattifier

Say “farewell” to blotting papers and “hello” to all-day mattifiers a lá Normaderm Total Mat Anti-Shine Mattifierby Vichy Laboratoires. This clinically tested formula is the Energizer Bunny of mattifying products — it keeps going strong all day long!

Skin-Saving Astringent

Nothing speaks for a product’s efficacy like an established fan base, and this bright blue potion has quite the reputation! Since 1964, Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotionhas used natural ingredients to stop oil in its tracks and keep skin looking and feeling refreshed. Fun fact: Word on the street is that Andy Warhol was a fan of the “blue stuff”! To avoid overdrying, pair this astringent with the collection’s herb-infused moisturizer, which mattifies and hydrates. Talk about a power couple!